Letters to the editor for Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Respect the Earth; don't trash it

Early Sunday morning I decided to take a leisurely bicycle ride before traffic got going full tilt. It was a gorgeous morning. No planned ride, just meandering. I rode south on San Carlos Boulevard toward the beach, enjoying the relative quiet and cool air. It would have been a delightful venture except for all the trash that has been wantonly discarded on both sides of this roadway.

The amount of trash thrown out of vehicles along both sides of this road on the way to and from the beach is disgusting. I was reminded of the TV advertisement several years ago where a Native American was shown observing the destruction of our Earth with trash and a tear streaming from his eye. I too was saddened by this desecration. This Earth is our home and we share it with each other. We should show her more respect. Please keep your trash in your vehicle until you get to your destination. Then collect it and dispose of it in a trash container.

Thank you in advance for your mindfulness.

Denny Miner, Fort Myers Beach

Naples candidate too combative, divisive

Campaigns can get messy but the Naples City Council campaign this season has a new twist. Candidate John Dugan has released a shocking mailer declaring he is NOT beholden to special interests and he is NOT beholden to the Old Naples Association or to any HOA. He is apparently confused. The Home Owners Associations represent the constituents of City Council, and voters look to elect candidates who are “beholden” to all our residents, consider resident values, and who are accountable to the City Vision.

But Mr. Dugan has been decidedly combative, dragging each of his opponents, and now the residents and their HOA’s, under the bus. Does he want to fight or serve?

The City of Naples is a fabric of neighborhoods represented by HOA’s that are engaged in city issues, working together, and supportive of one another. We have shared values but also unique issues. ONA appreciates that we have council members who listen to ALL the residents and address ALL the neighborhoods and their issues.

We don’t need a divisive candidate, Mr. Dugan.

On Feb. 1 voters of the City of Naples will select three candidates who wish to serve them on City Council. ‘Vote for those who will represent ALL the taxpaying residents of the City of Naples.

Janet Ferry, president, Old Naples Association

Red-light runners common in Naples

I live in Naples seven months a year and in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. for five months. Most days of the week when I am driving in Naples and environs I observe red lights being run by speeding vehicles. After a few years I have learned the necessity of waiting to go when the light turns green for me. I count to five before going. Otherwise one runs the risk of being broadsided by a red light runner. There appear to be traffic cameras at these intersections but whether the county tickets and collects fines from these people is unknown to me. In Maryland you lose your license for repeated offenses. How about the news looking into driving issues here so we understand the situation more fully?

John A. Galotto, M.D., Naples

Tax revenue increased every year under Trump

When a recent letter-writer to the mailbag claims that federal tax revenue "was greatly reduced by huge tax cuts for the very wealthy," that is misleading. Federal tax revenue in 2015, the year before President Trump took office, was $3.25 trillion. It has increased every year since, and now amounts to $3.86 trillion, an 18.8 percent increase.

When some folks resort to misleading information to support their arguments, the rest of us ought to disbelieve everything else they have to say. As a Republican, I'm proud of the stand that Sen. Manchin has taken against the waste of our tax revenue by the current administration.

Dave Bridgeman, Alva

Conservancy, wildlife hospital do great work

My husband and I were on our usual Sunday morning walk at Freedom Park when we came upon a Conservancy of SW Florida staff member and the woman who called them for help. They were scouring the palmettos for a trio of Guinea pigs who someone had unconscionably dumped at the park. Skillfully, all three of them were captured (only three were initially seen although there may have been more) and saved from a possibly awful fate without the ability to fend for themselves. I want to commend the Conservancy and the woman who called them for doing what was necessary to save the three Guinea pigs from being eaten or starving to death. The Conservancy of SW Florida and von Arx Wildlife Hospital do great work. On the other hand, why dump a pet when it can be bought to Naples Humane Society or Collier County Domestic Animal Services (who also do great work)?

Meryl Osse, Naples

Thank you Naples for support of cancer society

During the Christmas season our neighborhood, Victoria Park, collected for the American Cancer Society. I would like to thank everyone who donated and those who volunteered their time to collect. A special thank you to all the residents of Victoria Park who definitely get in the holiday spirit, providing some spectacular light displays that make Christmas Eve so special. Once again, the Naples community showed its giving spirit by donating generously. We raised $9,373.12 to help those dealing with cancer. Please watch for a Relay for Life event for ACS sometime in March or April.

May God bless each and everyone of you in a peaceful and healthy 2022!

Barb Senkevich, Naples, Victoria Park’s Relay for Life Captain

Diversify news sources

I would like to remind everyone that posts a Letter to the Editor in the Opinion section, it's unlikely that you were ever in the Oval Office and you probably have never met Donald Trump or Joe Biden. You may not have any personal knowledge of the topics about which you write. Consequently, your opinions are formed exclusively by your personal news sources. Remember, the mainstream media has an approval rating of less than 40 percent for good reason. If you like and agree with the news you are seeing or reading, you tend to believe they are delivering the truth, even it is not backed up with facts or results. You see the allegations but you miss the corrections and retractions. And you will never see the apologies. This is a major reason we have such a broad difference of opinions. Your letters are not accomplishing anything except furthering our divisions. Do the research. Evaluate the results, not the clamor. Diversify your news sources. Forget the political talking points that are repeated verbatim. Be truly informed even if it takes more time. The survival of democracy is dependent upon an informed electorate.

Theron Oatley, Fort Myers

What are they hiding?

A year ago we suffered the greatest assault on our democratic institutions in well over a century. Shouldn't every patriotic American want to investigate how this came about? Why, then, do so many from the former president to current members of Congress resist providing documents and testimony about the insurrection of Jan. 6 and events leading to it? What are they hiding?

Those who attacked the Capitol last year were more than just "peaceful tourists." The shameful leaders who organized and urged them on must be exposed and removed from office. Others who defend and or provide them cover should also be exposed.

Bruce Beardsley, Naples

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Tuesday, January 4, 2022